Child&#39;s clothing garment having a rear fastening device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a child&#39;s sleeper which has fastening devices located in the back of the garment. Preferably, the sleeper has at least two fastening devices located in the back of the garment. In one embodiment of the invention the fastening device comprises a zipper, snap, button, hook and eye, or a Velcro® fastening device. In another embodiment of the invention, the sleeper is made out of a lightweight but form-fitting material.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to children's clothing and, more particularly, to a child's sleeping garment that comprises a rear fastening device and preferably at least two rear fastening devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, child sleepers have not varied much over the years. While some changes have been made with respect to their features, for example, the type of material from which the sleeper is made, the general construction of the sleeper has not been altered much.

Child sleepers are well known and typically comprise a garment body and a pair of arm portions and a pair of leg portions for covering the child's arms and legs, respectively, in a somewhat form-fitting manner. The distal ends of the leg portions of known sleepers are usually provided with integral foot portions. Up to now, child sleepers were accessible only through a frontal fastening device. Typically this fastening device is a zipper. The sole purpose of having the fastening device in the front of the sleeper, as opposed to the rear of the sleeper, is for easy access by an adult when changing the child's diaper or for removing the sleeper itself.

However, a major problem with such conventional child sleepers is that, at a certain age, the wearer is able to open the frontal fastening device without adult help or supervision. In such an instance, the wearer is apt to remove his/her diaper and/or the entire sleeper. Although seemingly innocent, this situation can create a serious problem for both the child and parent. The child is potentially left with no clothes on while in his/her crib. Further, if the child removes his/her diaper in the process, he/she may end up standing or sleeping in an unsanitary condition which could be hazardous to his/her health. Also, this creates a situation for the parents whereby they must constantly have to replace diapers, replace sleepwear and clean the crib, bedding and child.

A need, therefore, exists for a child sleeper with a fastening device and preferably two fastening devices located in the rear of the garment that are inaccessible to its wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides a sleeper for a young child, comprising: (a) a garment body including a pair of leg portions adapted to surround the child's legs in a form-fitting manner; (b) a pair of arm portions adapted to surround the child's arms in a from-fitting manner; and (c) a fastening device, wherein said fastening device is located in the rear of the garment wherein said pair of leg portions, said pair of arm portions and said fastening device are all connected to one another. In one embodiment, the sleeper is made of a soft fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the soft fabric is selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, fleece and poly microfleece. In another embodiment, the soft fabric does not pill. In another embodiment, the soft fabric is flame retardant. In a further embodiment, the soft fabric is breathable.

In another embodiment, the pair of leg portions optionally comprise a foot portion. In a preferred embodiment, the foot portion comprises a non-skid surface. In another embodiment, the pair of leg portions are ankle length, knee length or Capri length. In another embodiment, the pair of arm portions are short sleeved or long sleeved. In a further embodiment, the fastening device is selected from the group consisting of a zipper, a snap, a button, a hook and eye and a Velcro® fastening device.

In another aspect, the invention includes a sleeper for a young child, comprising: (a) a garment body including a pair of leg portions adapted to surround the child's legs in a form-fitting manner; (b) a pair of arm portions adapted to surround the child's arms in a from-fitting manner; and (c) a first fastening device and a second fastening device, wherein said first fastening device and said second fastening device are located in the rear of the garment and wherein said pair of leg portions, said pair of arm portions and said at least two fastening devices are all connected to one another. In one embodiment, said first fastening device and said second fastening device are different. In another embodiment, said first fastening device and said second fastening device are the same. In another embodiment, said at least two different fastening devices are each a device selected from the group consisting of a zipper, a snap, a button, a hook and eye and a Velcro® fastening device. In another embodiment, said first fastening device is a zipper and said second fastening device is a snap. In another embodiment, said first fastening device overlaps said second fastening device.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of preventing a child from removing his or her diaper, said method comprising placing a sleeper of the invention on said child.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show a form of the invention which is presently preferred. However, it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates the front view of a preferred sleeper of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the rear view of a preferred sleeper of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Child sleepers are typically designed as a self-contained garment that provides warmth and comfort to its wearer and easy accessibility by an adult through a frontal fastening device. However, because of its location, a frontal fastening device also allows the child wearer to gain access to the interior of the garment. Thus, this invention provides a child sleeper with a rear fastening device that prevents the wearer from opening and closing the garment on his/her own.

While the invention will be described in connection with one or more preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended that the invention cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within its spirit and scope as defined by the appended claims.

Definitions

As used herein, the term “connected” refers to the joining, adhering, bonding, attaching, or the like, of two elements. Two elements will be considered to be connected together when they are connected directly to one another or indirectly to one another, such as when each is directly connected to intermediate elements.

As used herein, the term “breathable” is used to refer to any material which allows air to pass through it.

As used herein, the term “fabrics” is used to refer to all of the woven, knitted and nonwoven fibrous webs.

As used herein, the term “fastening device” is used to refer to any type of attachment that is used to connect to sides of fabric in order to keep them together. Preferably, the fastening device is a zipper, snap, button, hook and eye or Velcro® attachment.

As used herein, the term “sleeper” is used to describe a garment worn when sleeping which comprises one piece of continuous fabric which includes an open head region, a pair of arm portions, a body portion and two leg portions and a fastener for opening and closing. A “sleeper” optionally comprises a pair of foot portions.

As used herein, the term “form-fitting” refers to materials which are compliant and which will readily conform to the general shape and contours of the wearer's body.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a front view of a sleeper 10 of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the sleeper is in the form of a child sleeper comprising a garment body 12 providing a pair of arm portions 14 and a pair of leg portions 16 cooperating together to cover the wearer's body, legs and arms in a form-fitted manner.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the image depicts the rear view of a sleeper 18 of the present invention. The garment body is provided with at least two fastening devices 20 and 22. In one embodiment, the first fastening device is a zipper 20 and the second fastening device is a snap 22. Preferably, the second fastening device overlaps the first fastening device. Preferably both the first fastening device and the second fastening device are fastened in the neck region 24.

The garment body is preferably made of a relatively soft and porous fabric, which offers heat insulation, as well as breathability for the comfort of the wearer. The garment body could, for instance, be made of cotton, polyester fleece, poly microfleece or acrylic textile material. Preferably, the material does not pill. Preferably the material is flame retardant and breathable.

In another embodiment, the sleeper of the invention includes a pair of foot portions 26 which are continuous with the pair of leg portions such that they provide extra warmth for the wearer. Preferably, the foot portions comprise a non-skid surface on the bottom. The non-skid service may be in the form of an array of high-friction elastomeric pads or like slip resistant material.

Although the sleeper of the invention is used to provide warmth to its wearer, sleepers are also worn in warmer climates and in the summer months. Thus, in one embodiment, the sleeper comprises a pair of leg portions that are ankle length, Capri length or knee length. In another embodiment, the sleeper comprises a pair of arm portions that are short sleeved or long sleeved in length. 

1. A sleeper for a young child, comprising: (a) a garment body including a pair of leg portions adapted to surround the child's legs in a form-fitting manner; (b) a pair of arm portions adapted to surround the child's arms in a form-fitting manner, wherein said arm portions extend laterally from said garment body; and (c) a fastening device, wherein said fastening device is located in the rear of the garment and wherein said pair of leg portions, said pair of arm portions and said fastening device are all connected to one another, wherein said fastening device is inaccessible to the young child thereby precluding the young child from opening the sleeper.
 2. The sleeper of claim 1, wherein said sleeper is made of a soft fabric.
 3. The sleeper of claim 2, wherein said soft fabric is selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, fleece and poly microfleece.
 4. The sleeper of claim 2, wherein the soft fabric does not pill.
 5. The sleeper of claim 2, wherein said soft fabric is flame retardant.
 6. The sleeper of claim 2, wherein said soft fabric is breathable.
 7. The sleeper of claim 2, wherein said pair of leg portions comprise a foot portion.
 8. The sleeper of claim 7, wherein said foot portion comprises a non-skid surface.
 9. The sleeper of claim 1, wherein said pair of leg portions are ankle length, knee length or Capri length.
 10. The sleeper of claim 1, wherein said pair of arm portions are short sleeved or long sleeved.
 11. The sleeper of claim 1, wherein said fastening device is a device selected from the group consisting of a zipper, a snap, a button and a hook and eye.
 12. A sleeper for a young child, comprising: (a) a garment body including a pair of leg portions adapted to surround the child's legs in a form-fitting manner; (b) a pair of arm portions adapted to surround the child's arms in a form-fitting manner, wherein said arm portions extend laterally from said garment body; and (c) a first fastening device and a second fastening device, wherein said first fastening device and said second fastening device are located in the rear of the garment and wherein said pair of leg portions, said pair of arm portions and said at least two fastening devices are all connected to one another, wherein said first fastening device and said second fastening device are inaccessible to the young child thereby precluding the young child from opening the sleeper.
 13. The sleeper of claim 12, wherein said sleeper is made of a soft fabric.
 14. The sleeper of claim 13, wherein said soft fabric is selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester, fleece and poly microfleece.
 15. The sleeper of claim 13, wherein the soft fabric does not pill.
 16. The sleeper of claim 13, wherein said soft fabric is flame retardant.
 17. The sleeper of claim 13, wherein said soft fabric is breathable.
 18. The sleeper of claim 12, wherein said pair of leg portions optionally comprise a foot portion.
 19. The sleeper of claim 12, wherein said foot portion comprises a non-skid surface.
 20. The sleeper of claim 12, wherein said pair of leg portions are ankle length, knee length or Capri length.
 21. The sleeper of claim 12, wherein said pair of arm portions are short sleeved or long sleeved.
 22. The sleeper of claim 12, wherein said first fastening device and said second fastening device are different.
 23. The sleeper of claim 12, wherein said first fastening device and said second fastening device are the same.
 24. The sleeper of claim 12, wherein said at least two different fastening devices are each a device selected from the group consisting of a zipper, a snap, a button and a hook and eye.
 25. The sleeper of claim 12, wherein said first fastening device is a zipper and said second fastening device is a snap.
 26. The sleeper of claim 12, wherein said first fastening device overlaps said second fastening device.
 27. A method of preventing a child from removing his or her diaper, said method comprising placing a sleeper on said child wherein said sleeper comprises (a) a garment body including a pair of leg portions adapted to surround the child's legs in a form-fitting manner; (b) a pair of arm portions adapted to surround the child's arms in a form-fitting manner, wherein said arm portions extend laterally from said garment body; and (c) a fastening device, wherein said fastening device is located in the rear of the garment and wherein said pair of leg portions, said pair of arm portions and said fastening device are all connected to one another, and wherein said fastening device is inaccessible to the young child thereby precluding the young child from opening the sleeper.
 28. A method of preventing a child from removing his or her diaper, said method comprising placing a sleeper on said child wherein said sleeper comprises (a) a garment body including a pair of leg portions adapted to surround the child's legs in a form-fitting manner; (b) a pair of arm portions adapted to surround the child's arms in a form-fitting manner, wherein said arm portions extend laterally from said garment body; and (c) a first fastening device and a second fastening device, wherein said first fastening device and said second fastening device are located in the rear of the garment and wherein said pair of leg portions, said pair of arm portions and said at least two fastening devices are all connected to one another, and wherein said first fastening device and said second fastening devices are inaccessible to the young child thereby precluding the young child from opening the sleeper. 